Play Catapult

Action figure accessories and play sets can cost a quite a bit if you're into collecting. On the other hand, if you're more into actually playing with the figures and letting your imagination run wild, then there's no need to spend the extra cash when you can easily make a fun...

Although it's unknown when the first catapult was constructed, the first catapult appears in the historical record around the 9th century B.C. in Iraq. Throughout the next five centuries, catapults became popular weapons and in 399 B.C., Dionysius of Sicily enticed craftsmen with...

Have a mousetrap laying around but no mice to catch? Why not have some fun and turn it into a mousetrap catapult! Instructions 1 Start by mounting the mousetrap on a piece of wood measuring 3 inches wide by 12 inches long. Use wood glue or bolts to mount the mousetrap. ...

Catapults were first used in ancient times to hurl an object with great speed for a far distance without the need for an explosive. Created by the Greeks, catapults have become an important weapon for the military. The name is derived from two Greek words-"kata" (downward) and...

Get kids to build a catapult from cardboard and rubber bands as a physics project. It's a great way to illustrate Newtonian physics concepts such as the storage and transference of energy, as well as teaching how levers and fulcrums (pivots) work. Suggest experiments making comparisons...

Catapults were used at least since ancient Roman times as a powerful weapon designed to launch stones and other items at the enemy. Catapults demonstrate the mechanisms of physics and make a easy to build science project. Create a catapult using pencils and yarn as a craft project...

The catapult was the main weapon of mass destruction of the ancient and Medieval times. It could hurl rocks at buildings and castles that could cause extensive damage. Mounted on wheels and pulled by a team of oxen, the catapult, also known as a trebuchet, could be moved where...

You can build a miniature catapult from rubber bands and bamboo pieces or pencils. This project is easy enough that a child can build it with a little trial and error. Your catapult can shoot marshmallows, candies, paper balls or other small objects. The design is quite flexible...

Building a catapult for a school project is a fun way to explore history and physics. There are many different types of catapult you can make, from a plastic spoon taped to a mousetrap to a three-foot trebuchet. The version here is a medium-sized catapult powered by a rubber...

Building a catapult that can fire a projectile a decent range is a satisfying project that takes in craftsmanship, forward thinking, physics and practical reasoning skills. With some effort to the design, a catapult about 3-feet high can hurl a tennis ball well over 100 yards....

Building a model catapult is an engaging and educational craft for kids. Elementary-aged children, or even younger children with help from an adult, can construct a basic Medieval-style catapult out of just a few materials. Older children or adults may enjoy taking the basic building...

Pumpkin catapults, or pumpkin chuckers, are popular items around autumn, especially in October for Halloween. In most cases, the devices are simply large catapults that utilize kinetic energy and tension to launch a pumpkin into the air. The project may be a whole day's undertaking...

Students will build a catapult to learn about motion and the forces acting upon the projectile. Catapults were used in history to launch a projectile that smashed buildings and walls during a siege. These weapons of war will now teach students about the forces involved in moving...

Harvest festivals are a big draw for communities during the Fall season every year. Families get together and celebrate the colorful time of year by putting their focus on arts, crafts, live entertainment and food. A variety of games and activities take place at these festivals...

A medieval backyard war game, science experiment or target practice is not the same without a working catapult. If you're looking to launch a tennis ball long range, then you need to have a catapult that is simple enough to work with minimal setup. You also want a catapult that...

Force and energy are key components, along with design, in getting a catapult to launch an object into the air. Catapults have been built since at least A.D. 300 beginning with a basic design, and becoming more complex as technology evolved. However, designs are based on the...

Catapults work as a lever to throw heavy objects a considerable distance. According to the Smith College Museum of Ancient Inventions, catapults were ancient military machines invented by Greek Dionysius the Elder of Syracuse in 400 B.C. A mini catapult works with the same physics...

The simplest way to eliminate the need for rubber bands in building a model catapult is to construct a trebuchet. A trebuchet uses counterweight instead of elastics to create torque. The catapult is held in place while a large weight hangs on the other side of a fulcrum. When...

Teaching elementary school-aged children how to build catapults is a simple, inexpensive and fun exercise that helps them to learn how elastic materials can store energy. A basic catapult made from an old newspaper and a plastic spoon is adequate at this stage. The catapult takes...

Homemade catapults, often made out of chopsticks or Popsicle sticks, provide an effective way to launch small objects through the air. Though these catapults do not offer the precision or strength of store bought catapults, they allow you to teach children about Medieval combat...

Catapults date back at least 2,400 years, when Greek soldiers used them to hurl flaming arrows at enemies on the field of battle. More recently, the U.S. Navy has catapulted jets into the air from aircraft carriers. In January 2011, Mexican drug dealers unsuccessfully tried to use...

A catapult was an early type of cannon used by soldiers to shoot projectiles at castles and enemy fortifications. You can build your own toy catapult using tinker toy parts. Household supplies will also be needed, but no tools. Instructions 1 Insert an end of a green rod into...

Catapult building is a common competition in physics classes. If you have to build a catapult for your class, don't fall into the trap of thinking that more power will result in a better launch. More power behind your launch is definitely helpful but you'll have to use your physics...